Chapter 639: The School's New Broomstick
Chapter 639: The School's New Broomstick
As Cedric expected, over the next two weeks, he constantly received challenges from various members during the DA gatherings.
The good news was that so far, Fred and George, whom he was most concerned about, had been uncharacteristically quiet... which meant he still had to remain vigilant.
Moreover, Cedric encountered another problem. Since Quidditch training sessions needed to avoid bad weather as much as possible, it was challenging to set a fixed day for their gatherings.
However, they soon found a solution to this issue.
Hermione, inspired by the rewards Kyle had left in the Room of Requirement, created a batch of fake Galleons with Transformation Charms.
When the number on the master Galleon changed, the others would follow suit, allowing them to promptly inform others of the specific time for the next gathering.
It was quite convenient.
Fred and George found this method useful for cheating, but their idea was quickly discovered by Cedric, and that was the end of it...
Cedric would never allow them to do such a thing, but Fred and George only had the idea.
After all, there was a fundamental difference between using it for cheating and their previous prank products. If discovered, the consequences might not be as simple as just losing House points and detention.
They didn't want to be expelled directly; that would be too embarrassing and might also affect the Weasley Joke Shop's reputation.
A shop run by outstanding graduates would always sound better than one owned by expelled students.
"Here you go." During breakfast one day, Cedric handed a fake Galleon to Kyle.
"Even though you haven't been there recently, I think it's better to give you one."
Kyle took it and held it in his hand, feeling its weight, "Is this a Gnome's Galleon?"
"To be precise, it's a replicated Gnome's Galleon." Cedric said, "A real Gnome's Galleon can only last half a day, but this way, it can extend its existence to about a year."
"Not a bad idea." Kyle commented.
"We're too familiar with the Replication Charm, so we naturally know all its functions." Cedric smiled, as if recalling the scene from a few years ago when they tirelessly replicated maps in an empty room.
Kyle smiled as well, then put away the fake Galleon, "Are you guys going to gather again soon?"
Cedric shook his head, "Probably not this week. Gryffindor is having their first Quidditch match this week, so they won't have time this week."
"Yeah, I guess that's the case." Kyle agreed.
The Quidditch match was approaching, and this was the first match in over a year, so everyone took it very seriously, including the professors.
In recent days, broomsticks could be seen flying almost daily over the Quidditch pitch, either from Gryffindor or Slytherin.
The last time Cedric applied for pitch usage, Madam Hooch informed him that Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had already booked the pitch for the entire week.
Although this violated the rules, the professors had personally approached her, leaving her no choice but to agree.
The team members all expressed understanding about this.
If Hufflepuff had their way for the Saturday match, then Professor Sprout would likely be the one approaching Madam Hooch.
But this was also good; it would be like a break.
...
As the match drew nearer, the tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin intensified, with a palpable air of rivalry.
Regardless of grade, whenever members of the two Houses met in the corridors, they couldn't resist taking jabs at each other.
Malfoy continued his tirade in the Great Hall, threatening to knock Harry off his broomstick, but Kyle remained reserved about it.
Malfoy's team is no match for the Firebolt.
The Cleansweep 2001 can't even catch up to the Firebolt, unless it has a fire dragon pushing it from behind.
But this seems to be Slytherin's tactic, as they tirelessly attack every Gryffindor player, with Harry and Ron as their primary targets.
Millicent, Pansy, and Malfoy even rehearsed a little play, acting out a scene of Ron dropping the Quaffle.
This made Ron anxious every day.
And so, November finally arrived.
The weather turned colder, with the wind outside the castle feeling like knives, stinging people's cheeks. However, inside the castle, it was warm and cozy.
Today was the day the Quidditch match was to begin.
Early in the morning, Kyle, Conna, and Cedric left the Common Room, heading towards the Great Hall.
They all wore scarves in Gryffindor colors, with a lion emblem, showing their support for Gryffindor.
Today, the Great Hall was livelier than usual, filled with excited voices.
Apart from the upcoming match, there was another reason...
At the front of the Great Hall, where the Teacher's Table was located, a row of brand new, gleaming new broomsticks were displayed.
There were thirty broomsticks in total, each one pristine, with smooth broom handles still retaining the scent of pine oil.
"Wow, these are Swift Eleven-star broomsticks!"
This work is organized and uploaded by 69 Book Bar~~
A crowd gathered around the Teacher's Table, eagerly eyeing the broomsticks.
"I've seen these at the Quidditch Boutique in Diagon Alley. These are the new broomsticks this year."
"They're so beautiful..."
"Are these broomsticks for all Quidditch players?"
"Ahem, ahem."
Just as everyone was discussing enthusiastically... a light cough suddenly came from the crowd.
Professor Umbridge appeared in the Great Hall, and upon seeing her, everyone immediately dispersed, returning to their respective tables in the fastest time, but their eyes remained glued to the row of broomsticks.
Professor Umbridge coughed lightly again, drawing everyone's attention.
She walked to the front and said with a smile, "Yes, don't doubt it, these broomsticks are for you."
It was as if someone had told them Christmas had come early, and the Great Hall immediately erupted with cheers and screams.
Professor Umbridge had to press her wand against her throat to make her voice heard over the cheers.
"As a Senior Investigator of the Ministry of Magic, I noticed that the school has been using broomsticks that are thirty years old."
"The Ministry of Magic believes that every year, more and more Hogwarts students are getting injured in Quidditch matches, and the main reason is the severe aging of broomsticks."
"So, the Ministry of Magic has decided to replace a batch of brand new, better broomsticks for Hogwarts, for use in Quidditch matches and Flying Lessons."
"Oh!"
The Great Hall erupted with cheers again, mixed with praises for the Ministry of Magic.
Professor Umbridge was satisfied with the students' reaction. She turned to look at Professor McGonagall and the others sitting beside her, with an unconcealed sense of pride on her face.
But Professor McGonagall was also very pleased, not only did she not mind Professor Umbridge's provocation, but she even nodded at her in a friendly manner.
Not seeing annoyance or anger on the other's face made Professor Umbridge feel a little uncomfortable.
"Was it you?" Cona subconsciously looked at Kyle.
She didn't think the Ministry of Magic would spend such a large sum of money to buy new broomsticks for the school, and Professor Umbridge wouldn't care about students getting injured.
"Hmm... I can't afford such a large sum of money." Kyle blinked and lowered his voice, "I just made a small suggestion."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
